Glacier & Waterton Lakes Bike Tour - Bikers by lake
Glacier & Waterton Lakes Bike Tour - Mountain Goat
Glacier & Waterton Lakes Bike Tour - Going to the Sun Road
Glacier National Park & Waterton Lakes Bike Tour
Waterfall - Glacier National Park & Waterton Lakes Bike Tour
Glacier & Waterton Lakes Bike Tour - Biking by scenic lake
Swiftcurrent Lake - Backroads Glacier & Waterton Lakes Bike Tour
Glacier National Park & Waterton Lakes Bike Tour
Glacier National Park & Waterton Lakes Bike Tour
Biking
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Glacier & Waterton Lakes Bike Tour

Epic National Park Grandeur in Montana & Alberta

Couples, Friends & Solos

6 days 5 nights

Activity Level: 2-5

Casual Hotels

From: $3,899 - $4,199 pp dbl occ

It's called Big Sky. Yet, you're still amazed by how "big" it is. Listen to the sound of your wheels spinning while you enjoy miles of scenic roads and vistas beyond compare. You'll question why you don't live closer to the mountains. You'll be transformed while biking through two magnificent national parks. After it all, you'll never be the same.
 

Glacier & Waterton Lakes Bike Tour map
Glacier & Waterton Lakes Bike Tour map

Montana & Alberta

Start/End Whitefish

Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.

Highlights

  • Bike the famed Going-to-the-Sun Road—superlative riding and vistas, complete with waterfalls, forests and towering peaks!
  • Admire the astonishing alpine scenery, sculpted valleys and glaciated mountain vistas that just won’t quit
  • Pedal past rolling ranchland and extraordinary glacier-carved valleys on the way to Canada’s Waterton Lakes National Park
  • Unwind in breathtaking natural scenes of rugged mountainous landscapes and glistening turquoise lakes

Itinerary

Accommodations may vary based on departure date.
6 Days Casual Hotels
Accommodations may vary based on departure.
Day 1
Description

Bike a picturesque route along the shore of Lake McDonald, formed by retreating glaciers 10,000 years ago | See new life taking root where wildfires recently altered the landscape | Take an invigorating dip in the chilly lake waters, if you dare!

Accommodations
Exterior view of Lake McDonald Lodge
Lake McDonald Lodge
Glacier National Park
| Casual Hotel

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with a large stone fireplace in the lobby and a terrace overlooking the lake.

Day 2
Description

Cycle on Going-to-the-Sun Road—a 50-mile stretch with unbelievable views | Enjoy a landscape of sparkling waterfalls, expansive virgin forests, sculpted valleys and majestic peaks | An exhilarating downhill ride between glaciated mountains and emerald lakes brings you to the shore of St. Mary Lake | Bike through aspen forests to Many Glacier Valley.

Accommodations
Exterior view of Many Glacier Hotel
Many Glacier Hotel
Glacier National Park
| Casual Hotel

An early-1900s Swiss chalet-style hotel set on the shore of Swiftcurrent Lake amid the peaks of Many Glacier Valley.

Days 3-4
Description

Welcome to Canada! Pedal north through rolling ranchland and glacier-carved valleys | Take in views of Chief Mountain, one of the most sacred areas of the park to the Blackfeet tribe | Enjoy a thrilling ascent to Waterton Lakes National Park, a designated Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage site along with neighboring Glacier National Park | Get in one more uphill to our hotel, which stands alone on a bluff above Waterton Lake, surrounded by dramatic peaks | ​Options abound: hiking, biking, horseback riding and boating are just a few ways to explore this incredible landscape.

Accommodations
Exterior view of the Prince of Wales Hotel
Prince of Wales Hotel
Waterton Lakes National Park
| Casual Hotel

This historic green-gabled hotel offers vistas of the mountains reflected in glacier-fed lakes.

Days 5-6
Description

Ride along the eastern perimeter of Glacier against a spectacular backdrop of meadows and mountains | Enjoy the rolling terrain as you explore Two Medicine Valley | Cheers to a week well-spent with a dip in the refreshingly cool lake.

Accommodations
Exterior Glacier Park Lodge
Glacier Park Lodge
Glacier National Park
| Casual Hotel

Located on the park's eastern edge in Blackfeet country; immense timbers hold aloft its expansive lobby ceiling.

The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind — you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. View cancellation policy.

Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy in USD.

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Our Private Trips are best for groups of 6 or more. We suggest joining a scheduled trip.

Please Select a Group Size

Group size is required to show per-person pricing. Your group size can be approximate and can change.

Activity Level: 2-5

Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. Several routes and a range of levels are offered each day so you can choose how much or how little activity you want to do. Learn more about how we determine activity levels.

Route notes

While Backroads strives to find roadways that are quiet and off the beaten track, some routes on this trip follow heavily trafficked roads. Of course, you're always welcome to jump in the shuttle to avoid the busier sections of the route. Authorized Permittee of the National Park Service.

Daily Route Options

* Includes shuttle.
Day 1
Biking
Level 2 | 22 miles* | 1000 ft. gain
Level 4 | 46 miles* | 2600 ft. gain
Level 4 | 53 miles | 2600 ft. gain
Day 2
Biking
Level 3 | 33 miles* | 3700 ft. gain
Level 4 | 44 miles* | 4200 ft. gain
Level 5 | 53 miles | 4700 ft. gain
Day 3
Biking
Level 2 | 21 miles | 2100 ft. gain
Level 4 | 40 miles | 4000 ft. gain
Day 4
Other
Optional Activities in Waterton Lakes National Park
Day 5
Biking
Level 2 | 18 miles* | 800 ft. gain
Level 3 | 37 miles* | 1400 ft. gain
Level 4 | 49 miles | 2000 ft. gain
Day 6
Biking
Level 2 | 23 miles | 1400 ft. gain

What's Included

Available Bike Options

The key to a stellar day's ride is a bike that's perfectly in tune with your cycling style… Backroads has you covered with the best bike fleet in the world! Please note that bike requests are subject to availability and prioritized based on the date they're submitted.

Click the arrow to see all bike options.

Backroads Performance Road Bike
Backroads Performance Road Bike
Performance Road Bike

Included in your trip price

This custom-designed titanium bike is lightweight and responsive, featuring Shimano Ultegra Di2 electronic shifting, 11-speed compact gearing, a premium Mavic Ksyrium Pro wheelset and a full carbon fork. 

Backroads Touring Bike
Backroads Touring Bike
Touring Bike

Included in your trip price

A proven classic, this custom-designed titanium bike is suited for a wide range of cyclists. It features a comfortable ergonomic seat and a long wheel base that add to the bike’s control and stability.

Backroads Electric-Assist Bike
Backroads Electric-Assist Bike
Electric-Assist Bike

Included in your trip price

Keep pace or zip ahead, pedaling with an electric boost. This bike provides plenty of power to flatten the hills and more than enough battery range to cover the distance.
Min. age to ride e-bike: 16+

Cannondale Synapse Pro Carbon Bike
Cannondale Synapse Pro Carbon Bike
Carbon Bike

Ride like a pro with the top-of-the-line carbon Cannondale Synapse Hi-Mod Red ETAP AXS. Delivering phenomenal acceleration and handling in a light and powerful package.
$650 rental fee; subject to availability

Co-Motion Torpedo Tandem Bike
Co-Motion Torpedo Tandem Bike
Tandem Bike

This hand-built frame features Co-Motion's custom-designed cro-moly steel tubeset, powerful Avid disc brakes, Shimano Ultegra drive train, and a custom, upgraded wheelset. For experienced tandem riders.
$400 rental fee

Also Included

  • All breakfasts, 6 lunches, 4 dinners
  • Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
  • Snacks and beverages between meals
  • Additional guides and experts from the region on many trips
  • Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
  • Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information
  • Private guided tours at museums, historic sites, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the Travel Planner
  • All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
  • Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner
  • On biking and multi-adventure trips, use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
  • Trailercycles, carriers, and kid-sized helmets for Family Trips
  • Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing and canoeing as described
  • Park and other entry fees
  • Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the Travel Planner
  • Select coach transfers
  • Baggage transfers and porterage

Straight talk

We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.

Accommodations & Service Standards

While the accommodations on this trip reflect the natural surroundings of the national parks and provide unparalleled access to the best activities in the area, they are much simpler than is typical of Backroads lodging. Many buildings date back to the turn of the century and have only been minimally renovated, in accordance with park regulations. These historic hotels have basic guest rooms that are not equipped with televisions or air-conditioning. Overall, the service standards can seem slow and casual when compared with the hospitality found on other Backroads trips. Please note that internet and cell phone service are extremely limited throughout the parks.​

Meals in National Parks

The National Park lodges we use on this trip are chosen for their character and ideal location—they are not known for their food. Meals at park lodges and the surrounding local restaurants can be simple and menu options tend to lack variety. Please be aware that options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and low-carb meals will be especially limited and substitutions are rarely available.

Weather & Itineraries in Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Parks

Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Parks are special places where four seasons can occur in one day. For that reason, our itinerary may change based upon road and trail status due to weather (including snow) or animal activity. The opening of Going-to-the-Sun Road is determined by snow levels and weather. The road often opens by the third week of June, but some years it does not open until early July. If the entire road is not open, we will shuttle 2¼ hours and you will still be able to ride the east side of Logan Pass, which typically opens earlier than the west side. Status of Going-to-the-Sun Road can be checked on Glacier National Park’s website: https://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/gtsrinfo.htm.  

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